Military Lifestyle

Let’s talk about rank. When I was a brand new baby mil spouse, I went to a class called Heart Link. It’s an Air Force new spouse orientation program; although, these days they encourage you to attend when you're new...

I love football ... Not in the rumble, tumble tomboy kind of way -- although I've always wished I was 'that girl.' I deeply want to be the gal that watches each touchdown and celebrates each victory while wearing a...

When my daughter began struggling with a season of Permanent Changes of Station (PCS)  that resulted in a handful of family and friends leaving our small Army community, I was challenged to consider the world through her eyes. This...

Deployment really brings out the best in us . . . said no military spouse ever. I don’t know about you, but when my husband deployed for the first time this past year, I came face to face with all...

Prior to taking my kids to Disney World this past year, I hadn’t been in over 20 years. While I will admit that I wasn’t the one in charge for that mid-nineties vacation, I don’t remember the enormous lines,...

If you’ve recently moved with kids to one of the military bases in the St. Louis area, such as Scott Air Force Base, you’re in luck. There are so many fun things to do that are low-cost or free...

  "Ohio? You’re moving to Ohio?!?" "Aren't you going the opposite way?" "Is there even a highway to get from here to there?" You can imagine my anxiety as people made these comments when I told them we were being stationed at Wright...

Moving away from your tribe is arguably the hardest part of a military permanent change of station (PCS). You spend between two and five years (give or take a year or two) building relationships, finding those people who are...

I have started and deleted this post many times. I am at a loss for words, which is weird for me because when I'm telling stories or trying to explain complicated concepts to my three children, my introverted husband...

You’ve watched the moving truck roll down the street, turned in the keys, piled the kids clutching man’s best friend into the car, and waved “bye house.” Whether there are days or weeks between this moment and the next when...

Recently, my husband's military record changed to reflect that he now has an "exceptional family member." Prior to the diagnosis, nothing appeared amiss. Afterwards, I experienced an array of emotions ranging from shock and anger to hurt and fear. We denied. I cried. But, as all...

When I was young, I always knew I wanted to be a mother and a wife, but I never imagined I would become a spouse to a member of the military. The traveling, the uprooting, the long periods of...